Presidential Inauguration Traditions

Every four years, roughly 75 days after Americans elect their next president, the incumbent’s term ends and the new president’s term begins with a daylong presidential inauguration.

There are many, many traditions that date back to George Washington’s first inauguration in 1789, and a handful have stood the test of time. Traditions evolve, of course, and recent presidents have started some that speak to their modern times.

Here’s a glimpse of how the swearing-in of new presidents has evolved over more than two centuries and what you might expect to see on Inauguration Day this year.

The Capitol

First, where does the inauguration take place?

For over 200 years, the new president has mostly taken the oath of office on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol Building.

During the country’s early years, George Washington and John Adams were inaugurated in Philadelphia, while the construction of the Capitol Building in Washington was still underway.

Beginning with Thomas Jefferson, the president has been sworn in at the Capitol. Jefferson took the oath of office inside the building. It was Andrew Jackson in 1829 whose inauguration was first held outside on the Capitol’s east portico, a tradition that held for many subsequent presidential inaugurations.

But that changed in 1981, when Ronald Reagan wanted to accommodate the growing number of onlookers who wished to attend the ceremony. He moved the swearing-in ceremony to the west portico of the building, where it has remained since.

The Oath

When does the inauguration take place?

Until the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed in 1933, Inauguration Day was March 4. (In earlier days, a president, vice president and the new Cabinet members had needed a fair amount of time to move to Washington.)

Since 1937, new presidents have been sworn in on January 20. Despite the winter weather, it is a day filled with events.

At exactly noon Washington time, on January 20, the new president takes the oath of office. The short oath (just 35 words) is administered by the chief justice of the Supreme Court. The president repeats these words after the justice: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

During the oath, the president places his hand on a Bible. George Washington began that tradition in 1789, and most presidents have followed suit, though they can choose another book (John Quincy Adams, for example, swore his oath on a law book).

At that moment, the president-elect officially becomes president of the United States.

Several presidents have taken their oaths on their own family Bibles while others have used their predecessors’. Barack Obama in 2009 and 2013, and Donald J. Trump in 2017, used Abraham Lincoln’s family Bible.

The Speech

After taking the oath, the president addresses the inauguration crowd and, in modern times, Americans watching on television. The new president then delivers an inaugural address to outline his goals and set the tone for the incoming administration.

The average speech is 2,300 words and lasts 20 to 30 minutes. George Washington — known for his quiet manner and dislike of public speaking — gave the shortest speech in 1793 as he began his second term. He spoke 135 words.

In 1841, William Henry Harrison gave the longest inaugural address — more than 8,000 words. (He contracted pneumonia, which some medical experts have attributed to his standing outside for two hours. He died just one month into his presidential term, and his vice president, John Tyler, succeeded him.)

The Parade

After the inaugural ceremony and luncheon at the Capitol Building, presidents and their spouses — and vice presidents with their spouses — proceed to the White House.

The procession has become a parade, a tradition that began with Thomas Jefferson’s second inauguration in 1805, when he traveled on horseback, westward to the White House along Pennsylvania Avenue. Since then, most presidents have followed the same route, greeting onlookers and hosting a parade.

Some parades have been lavish — Grover Cleveland’s in 1885 took three hours and featured 25,000 participants — while others have been more modest — Nixon’s 1969 parade featured fewer military groups than usual because of the Vietnam War.

In 1977, Jimmy Carter nixed the car ride and walked the two miles from the Capitol to the White House. Since Carter's inauguration, for the past 50 years, presidents have walked at least part, if not all, of the way along Pennsylvania Avenue, smiling and waving to onlookers.

The Ball

During Inauguration Day evening, the president may host an inaugural ball — though it is not required by law or the Constitution. These dances are a way to wrap up the festivities before the work of a new administration begins.

Dolley Madison began the tradition by throwing an 1809 party after her husband, James Madison, was sworn in. More than 400 people attended the ball, held at Mr. Long’s Hotel, in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. This first ball, and many after it, were held at Washington area hotels. (The White House could not accommodate the large numbers of guests.)

As invitation lists grew, new presidents began to host multiple balls throughout the city. Ronald Reagan famously attended eight balls on the evening of his inauguration. (He also is the president who held the most state dinners.)

The End

Learn more about U.S. presidential inauguration traditions by visiting the White House Historical Association and ShareAmerica.

Writer: Noelani Kirschner
Photo editor: Evan Eile
Graphic designer: Buck Insley
Copy editor: Helen I. Rouce
Digital storyteller: Pierce McManus

January 2025